Weekly Arrowhead

Published on February 22, 2010 under ECHL (ECHL)
Johnstown Chiefs News Release


Johnstown, Pa. - The Chiefs fell to the red hot Trenton Devils and Elmira Jackals last weekend. With another three-in-three looming this weekend, the Chiefs will look to turn their fortunes around against a pair of North Division foes as well as the Reading Royals.

Record: 14-32-8, 36 pts., 4th place East Division,

Leaders:

Goals - Connor Shields: 23

Chanse Fitzpatrick (total): 23

Assists - Troy Schwab: 25

Points - Connor Shields: 43

Chanse Fitzpatrick (total): 46

+/- - Jeff Martens/Matthew Myers: +2

PIMs - Trevor Hendrikx: 158

PPG - Connor Shields/Jim McKenzie: 8

SHG - Sean Berkstresser: 2

Wins - Kris Mayotte: 7

GAA - John Murray: 3.89

SVP - Kris Mayotte:.889

This Week:

2/26 vs. Toledo, 7:05 a.m. - Home (0-2-0), Away (0-2-1)

Toledo comes to Johnstown this Friday after a topsy-turvy southern swing. The Walleye won two in a row at Charlotte by a combined score of 9-1, including a 7-0 drubbing on Feb. 18. However, when the scene shifted to Charleston, the Walleye were scorched 6-0 in back-to-back games by the Stingrays. The Chiefs will be hoping to continue the Walleye's struggles defensively and break out of their own offensive funk. Entering Friday the Chiefs have gone five games without scoring more than two goals in a game. Toledo has won each of its previous two trips to Johnstown, outscoring the Chiefs 12-6 in the process.

2/27 vs. Cincinnati, 7:05 p.m. - Home (0-4-0), Away (2-1-0)

Two weekends ago the Cyclones used back-to-back wins against the Chiefs to extend their season-long winning streak to seven games. In the losses the Chiefs were limited to 19 and 18 shots which were each season lows. The Cyclones have lost twice since their last meeting with the Chiefs, although both were after regulation: 2-1 in OT vs. Toledo on Feb. 17 and 2-1 in a shootout vs. Wheeling on Feb. 20. The Chiefs will look to Bryan Marshall to continue his success against his former club and help them to victory. Marshall has a three-game goal scoring streak (3G) against the team that traded him to Johnstown in exchange for Ryan Del Monte in mid-November. Cincinnati was the first team in the season series to win a home game with its 6-2 win vs. the Chiefs on Feb. 13.

2/28 at Reading, 5:05 p.m. - Home (3-1-0), Away (1-2-0)

In spite of the fact that it has been three months since the Chiefs last visited the Royals, the boys in black and gold will have a chance this Sunday to build a two-game road winning streak against Reading. Troy Schwab (1G, 1A) and Connor Shields (2A) keyed Johnstown's attack to a 4-2 win over Reading on November 29 while Kris Mayotte backstopped the Chiefs with 41 saves. The win turned the Chiefs' fortunes around after a pair of one-goal setbacks on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. At 4-3-0, the Chiefs' record against the Royals this season is their only winning record against an opponent this season. The Royals, who had led the East Division for much of the first half of the season, have won only three times in their last 10 games entering this week's action.

Day by Day:

Mon. 2/22: Off

Tues. 2/23: Practice at UPMC Health Plan Ice Rink at CCWM, 10:00 a.m.

Wed. 2/24: Practice at UPMC Health Plan Ice Rink at CCWM, 10:00 a.m.

Thurs. 2/25: Practice at UPMC Health Plan Ice Rink at CCWM, 10:00 a.m.

Fri. 2/26: Chiefs vs. Toledo Walleye, 7:05 p.m.

Sat. 2/27: Chiefs vs. Cincinnati Cyclones, 7:05 p.m.

Sun. 2/28: Chiefs at Reading Royals, 5:05 p.m.

Broadcast Schedule:

Fri. 2/26: Chiefs vs. Toledo Walleye, 7:05 p.m. - internet only

Sat. 2/27: Chiefs vs. Cincinnati Cyclones, 7:05 p.m. - internet only

Sun. 2/28: Chiefs at Reading Royals, 5:05 p.m. - radio and internet

All Chiefs radio broadcasts can be heard on 1490 AM WNTJ and AM 990 WNTW, and live streaming audio of every Chiefs game is available courtesy of B2 Networks at www.johnstownchiefs.com or www.echl.com. All game broadcasts begin 15 minutes prior to faceoff with the Chiefs Pregame Show presented by UPMC.

Last Week: (0-3-0)

2/19 vs. Trenton: L 1-3

An early Johnstown surge was an encouraging sign, and the Chiefs out-shot the Devils 6-1 in the first few minutes of the game. Trenton withstood the charge and Chris Poli put his team up 1-0 late in the first. Johnstown responded late in the second with Jeff Martens potting his second goal of the season by hammering home Matt Kang's centering pass. The third period was played on even footing until the Chiefs took back-to-back penalties mid-way through the frame and put Trenton on a 5-on-3 advantage. Matt Vokes would beat John Murray for the eventual game winner and Dan Eves added an empty netter for the insurance marker.

2/20 vs. Trenton: L 2-6

Saturday night followed an extremely similar pattern from the night before, but only for two periods. Trenton opened up the scoring in the first period on a 5-on-3 goal by Chris Poli 4:26 into the constest. After the initial charge by the Devils, Johnstown's offense came to life, but couldn't find a way to squeeze one of its 12 shots past Dave Caruso. More determined in the second frame, the Chiefs launched 21 shots on net and were able to earn the tying goal early in the frame. Jim McKenzie cashed in his eighth power play goal of the season 2:56 in and put the Chiefs in good position. However, a Tim Kunes power play goal lifted Trenton back ahead by a goal heading into the third. In the final frame Trenton erupted for three goals in the first 4:28, and two of the three were on the power play. Brett Wilson added one more for insurance to close out Trenton's scoring at six goals. Connor Shields netted his 23rd goal of the season at 17:38, but it wasn't enough to spur a Chiefs' comeback.

2/21 at Elmira: L 2-7

It had been nearly two months since the Chiefs and Jackals met on New Year's Eve in Johnstown. That night Elmira picked up a 6-3 win, and last Sunday a similar offensive effort produced another two points. Yannick Tifu's 15th goal of the season along with two tallies from league-leading scorer Tyler Donati opened up a 3-0 lead for the Jackals in the first period. The Chiefs weren't without their own scoring chances but Mike Couch rung a wrist shot off of the crossbar and Connor Shields had a short breakaway denied by Julien Ellis. The Jackals upped the lead to five with goals in the second by Justin Donati and Chris Korchinski. At the onset of the third, Sean Berkstresser stole and outlet pass and put the Chiefs on the board just 30 seconds into the frame. Jim McKenzie would also score for the Chiefs in the third, but the Chiefs' goals only served to match Elmira's as Tyler Donati capped his hat trick and Max Gratchev added his 16th of the season with 27 seconds left to play.

CHIEFS CHOPS:

Scoring Streaks:

Goals: - J. McKenzie; 2 gms (2G), 2/20-2/21

Assists: - M. Knight, 2 gms (2A); 11/7-11/11

Points: - M. Knight, 2 gms (2A); 11/7-11/11

- J. McKenzie; 2 gms (2G), 2/20-2/21

- S. Berkstresser; 2 gms (1G, 1A), 2/20-2/21

Quick Hits:

- Johnstown's 21 shots in the second period vs. Trenton on Feb. 20 were its most in a period this season.

- Jim McKenzie tied Connor Shields for the team lead with eight power play goals on Feb. 20 vs. Trenton.

- Connor Shields' goal vs. Trenton on Feb. 20 was his first point against the Devils this season.

- McKenzie needs a goal on Friday to tie the Chiefs' longest goal scoring streak of the season (3 games) and set a new career high for himself.

- Chiefs play six of their next nine games on home ice.

Mark Your Calendars! Don't forget about these upcoming home games:

- Friday, February 26 vs. Toledo - 7:05 p.m. o Em's Subs Friday Meal Deal. Stop by Em's to pick up a ticket to the game, a sub, a drink, and a bag of chips for just $10!

- Saturday, February 27 vs. Cincinnati - 7:05 p.m. o Heritage Day with the Chiefs. Be sure to visit the Johnstown Children's Museum from 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. for special hockey programming. You can also pick up discounted tickets for that night's game by visiting the Johnstown Discovery Center or the Flood Museum!

- Wednesday, March 3 vs. Kalamazoo - 7:05 p.m. o Wendy's Wednesday Family Four Pack. $44 gets you and your family four tickets, hot dogs, drinks, and boxes of popcorn. This special offer is available through advance purchase or as a walk up at the arena box office!

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



ECHL Stories from February 22, 2010


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central